Inferential challenges when assessing racial/ethnic health disparities in environmental research.

ABSTRACT: Numerous epidemiologic studies have documented environmental health disparities according to race/ethnicity (R/E) to inform targeted interventions aimed at reducing these disparities. Yet, the use of R/E under the potential outcomes framework implies numerous underlying assumptions for epidemiologic studies that are often not carefully considered in environmental health research. In this commentary, we describe the current state of thinking about the interpretation of R/E variables in etiologic studies. We then discuss how such variables are commonly used in environmental epidemiology. We observed three main uses for R/E: i) as a confounder, ii) as an effect measure modifier and iii) as the main exposure of interest either through descriptive analysis or under a causal framework. We identi

SUBMITTER: Benmarhnia T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7802337 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature